Making the case for the collection of a minimal dataset for children with speech sound disorder

Abstract

Background: NHS case note data is a potential source of practice-based evidence which could be used to investigate effectiveness of different interventions for individuals with a range of speech, language and communication needs. Consistency in pre-and post-intervention data as well as collection of relevant variables would need to be demonstrated as a precursor to adopting this approach in future investigations of SLT intervention.Aims: The aim of this paper is to explore whether routine clinical data collection for children with speech sound disorder (SSD) could be a potential source for examining the effectiveness of intervention(s). Methods and Procedures:We examined case notes from three UK NHS services, reviewing 174 sets of case notes and 234 blocks of therapy provided for school-age children with SSD.Main contribution: We found there was significant variation in pre-and post-intervention data and variables collected by the services. The assessment data available in the case notes across all sites were insufficient to be used to compare the effectiveness of different interventions.Specific issues included lack of consistent reporting of pre-and post-intervention data, and use of a variety of both formal and informal assessment tools. Conclusions and implications:The case notes reviewed were from three sites and may not represent wider clinical practice nevertheless the findings suggest, the sample explored indicates the need for more consistent and contemporaneous collection of data for children with SSD, to facilitate investigation of different interventions in practice. Researchers should work with the clinical community to determine a minimal dataset that includes a core outcome set and potential variables. This should be feasible to collect in clinical practice and provide a dataset for future investigations of clinically relevant research questions. This would provide an invaluable resource to the clinical academic and research communities enabling research questions to be addressed that have the potential to lead to improved outcomes and more cost-effective services.

Consensus on an assessment protocol for children with speech sound disorders in Sri Lanka

“…Surrounding literature provides support with some authors suggesting this is an efficient method for obtaining a spontaneous, connected speech sample within a limited time frame (Bleile, 2002) . The lack of standardised assessments to assess children with suspected SSD has also been reported as a challenge in many other countries where the profession of speech and language therapy is relatively new (Joginder Singh et al, 2016) as well as in some English-speaking countries (Morgan et al, 2021) and the Sri Lankan participants in this study reported similar challenges accordingly. The participant interviews noted a lack of standardised assessments affecting the ability to make accurate clinical diagnoses around the nature of a child's SSD, which may lead to inaccurate diagnoses.…”

“…More than 50% of American SLTs (Skahan et al., 2007) always use the Goldman‐Fristoe Test of Articulation and 84% of SLTs in the UK used the South Tyneside Assessment of Phonology (Joffe & Pring, 2008). However, another study in the UK reported 52.3% of SLTs used in‐house designed, informal picture naming assessments (Morgan et al., 2021). In addition to single word picture naming tests, more Australian SLTs (58.3%) reported using conversational speech samples always in assessment in comparison to SLTs from the US (36.2%) to complement their findings.…”

“…SSDs can also have negative impacts later in life and across other domains. Wren et al (2021) reported that persistent SSDs identified at the age of 8 years may be associated with poor in later school years, while Law et al (2003) found that intervention for SSD in the preschool years for SSD can yield successful outcomes. Therefore, early identification and diagnosis of SSD is crucial.…”

Applying evidence to practice by increasing intensity of intervention for children with severe speech sound disorder: a quality improvement project

“…Additionally, prior to implementation of the QI project, different formal and informal speech assessments were used pre- and post-intervention per child precluding calculation of PCCs across the baseline period because of the lack of comparability between the speech data targeted. 35 …”

Outcome measures for children with speech sound disorder: an umbrella review protocol

“…However, a review of existing case notes of children treated for SSD were found to be too incomplete to compare Open access pathways. 11 Additionally, it was found that preintervention and postintervention data and variables recorded in the clinical case notes varied significantly between and within SLT services, thereby negating comparison. As a first step to determining which care pathways are most effective and efficient, this umbrella review will ask which assessment and outcome measures are commonly employed with children with SSD.…”